Golf grip training aid

ABSTRACT

This disclosure describes a method and apparatus including a pair of hand covering gloves for use with the game of golf. Wherein one glove includes a plurality of club alignment lines formed on the surface to properly align a golf club handle, and a plurality of grip alignment lines formed on the surface to properly align this glove with another glove. Wherein another glove includes a plurality of club alignment lines and grip alignment lines formed on the surface to properly align this glove with the first glove while holding a golf club handle in a proper orientation. A method and apparatus for maintaining this proper grip through the use of hook and loop pads or other means is also disclosed.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/871,402, filed Oct. 12, 2007, which claims priority of U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 60/954,933, filed Aug. 9, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

a) Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates generally to golfing aids, and more particularly, to a pair of golf gloves configured to aid a user in the proper connection of their hands while holding a golf club.

b) Background Art

Proper connection of a golfers hands while holding a golf club are helpful to the proper application of a golf swing while playing the game of golf. There are prior art applications focusing on the golf club, as well as others which have applied to a user maintaining eye contact with a ball, others concerning the process of swinging a golf club. One application, U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,827 includes a plurality of golf gloves having a hook and loop pad combination formed on an outer surface configured in such a way that releasing one's grip on the golf club creates an audio signal letting the user know that they have made an error in their swing.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Generally speaking, of an embodiment of this disclosure describes a pair of hand covering gloves for use with the game of golf. The leading hand glove, including a plurality of club alignment lines formed on the surface including an inward club alignment line and an outward club alignment line, parallel to the inward club alignment line, where the spacing between these lines generally conforms to the diameter of a golf club handle, a trailing hand glove including a plurality of club alignment lines formed on the surface of the trailing hand glove formed on the surface of the glove including an inward club alignment line and an outward club alignment line substantially offset and in alignment to the inward club alignment line; where the spacing between the inward and outward club alignment lines generally conforms to the diameter of a golf club handle.

In another embodiment, the pair of gloves described above where the leading hand glove further includes a plurality of grip lines formed on the back portion of the leading hand glove near the thumb portion. The trailing hand glove further including a grip line formed on the palm portion of the trailing hand glove near the thumb portion, and configured to align with the grip lines formed on the back of the leading hand glove when a golf club is held in the desired orientation.

Another embodiment is disclosed wherein the pair of gloves include: a first connecting pad formed on the leading hand thumb portion of the leading hand glove, a second connecting pad formed on the trailing hand palm portion of the trailing hand glove, and configured to engage the first connecting pad when a golf club is held in the proper orientation, and giving an audio signal to the user should the orientation of the gloves be disrupted while using the golf club.

A chin alignment arrow may be formed on a wrist portion of the trailing hand glove configured such that when the golf club is held in the proper orientation, the alignment arrow points directly at the users chin.

A shoulder alignment arrow may be formed on a wrist portion of the leading hand glove configured such that when the golf club is held of the proper orientation, the alignment arrow points directly to the user's shoulder.

The area between the inward and outward club alignment lines may also be marked, forming a single wide-line configured to align the golf club in the proper orientation.

Alternatively, a pair of hand covering gloves for use with the game of golf is disclosed including: a left glove including a plurality of grip lines formed on the back portion of the leading hand glove near the thumb portion, a trailing hand glove including a grip line formed on the home portion of the trailing hand glove near the thumb portion, and configured to align with the grip lines formed on the back of the leading hand glove when a club is held in the desired orientation.

A pair of gloves according to an embodiment of the disclosure may be used by grasping a golf club while wearing a glove having lines marked upon its surface and configured to assist in properly orienting the golf club. The golf club is then aligned with the lines marked upon the surface of the glove a connecting pad on the palm portion of one glove is then engaged with a connecting pad on a second glove to set the hands in the proper orientation for holding the golf club. The grip line formed on the first glove is then aligned with a grip line formed on the second glove to control the fade/draw orientation of the club.

After observing the results of one swing, the orientation of the lead and trailing hands may be adjusted, based on an evaluation of the previous swing to improve accuracy or distance as desired.

I may also be useful to assist a golf student to correct their golf swing by placing a lead hand glove on a lead hand and a trailing hand glove on a trailing hand. The student would then grasp a golf club handle with the lead hand and identify a first mark indicator with the lead hand then grasp the golf club with a trailing hand and identifying a marking indicator on the trailing hand to correlate with a first marking indicator on the lead hand. The student would be instructed to adjust their hand placement to have a different supination and pronation of the trailing hand for a desirable effect. After allowing the student to take a golf swing and impact a ball, an instructor would note the trajectory of the ball and adjust the student's orientation of the hands by utilizing the markers on the trailing and leading hand to rotate the trailing hand accordingly to either supinate the hand or pronate the hand to a weak/strong orientation. After swinging and striking a second ball and observing the results for a correction thereof with changing the hand orientation of the trailing hand.

The gloves utilized to assist a golf student could include a connecting pad positioned on the thumb portion of the trailing hand glove and a second connecting pad positioned on the palm portion of the lead hand glove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the inner portion of a left glove configured for a right-handed golfer;

FIG. 2 shows the proper left-hand alignment of a golf club for a right-handed golfer;

FIG. 3 shows the inner portion of a right glove configured for a right-handed golfer;

FIG. 4 shows the proper right hand alignment of a golf club for a right-handed golfer;

FIG. 5 shows the proper hand alignment of the golf club for a right-handed golfer, including the grip lines formed on the back portion of the left glove;

FIG. 6 shows a strong alignment of a golf club for a right-handed golfer;

FIG. 7 shows a proper hand alignment for golfers in backswing;

FIG. 8 shows an improper hand alignment for golfers in backswing where the grip is broken; and

FIG. 9 is a top view of the user properly holding a golf club;

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the connection system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For the sake of consistency, the same reference numeral will be used to denote the same element in all the figures and in the description. Furthermore, in order to avoid needlessly cluttering the drawings, certain elements have been purposely omitted. Some of these elements not shown are mentioned in the description, or completely omitted if they are only of a very secondary nature with respect to the disclosure.

The term “gloves” will be used henceforth to include not only a glove-like hand covering, but also similar embodiments which maintain the scope of the disclosure, such as markings formed directly on a user's hands, fingerless glove similar to those used in bicycling, mittens, and similar devices. Furthermore, an embodiment pertaining to a right-handed user will be described, but anyone skilled in the art will be able to create a mirror image of this disclosure for a left-handed golfer. For a right-handed golfer, the right hand will be the trailing hand, and the left hand the leading hand. Furthermore, alternate methods of marking these gloves can be conceived such as stitching, a raised portion, use of a different material, or other methods of defining a portion of the glove. Generally, the term inner will be used to describe the palm side of a glove, and outer will describe the back side of a glove, leaving the side to mean the intermediate portion between the inner and outer sides.

Looking at FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment of the disclosure 20 can be seen as a left glove 22 having a connecting pad 24 formed on the left thumb 26. Furthermore, markings are shown consisting of inward club alignment lines 28, and outward club alignment lines 30. These inward club alignment lines 28, and outward club alignment lines 30 generally overlap an area of the phalanges bones of the left-hand, such that a golf club 32 may be placed between these lines, thus being held in proper alignment. The specific angle of these lines, in relation to the phalanges bones, and specific distance from the metacarpals bones is beneficial. Of course, other forms of a club alignment line, otherwise referred to as a mark indicator, can be employed. For example, one line can be utilized per hand, or some other form of marking or tactile-like feel can be utilized, such as an indentation in the glove to indicate the placement of a golf handle.

In one embodiment, the club alignment lines are configured such that outward club alignment line 302 is positioned over top the left index distal phalanx bone. Outward club alignment line 304 is positioned over top the left middle proximal phalanx bone. Outward club alignment line 306 is positioned adjacent the last ring proximal phalanx bone. Outward club alignment line 308 is positioned adjacent the left small metacarpophalangeal joint. Inward club alignment line 282 is positioned adjacent the index proximal interphalangeal joint. Inward club alignment line 284 is positioned adjacent the middle metacarpophalangeal joint. Inward club alignment line 286 is positioned adjacent the ring metacarpal bone. Inward club alignment line 288 is positioned adjacent the small metacarpal bone. On the right hand, (see FIG. 3) inward club alignment line 282′ is positioned adjacent the index proximal phalanx bone. Inward club alignment line 284′ is positioned adjacent the middle proximal phalanx bone. Inward club alignment line 286′ is positioned adjacent the ring metacarpal bone, and the small metacarpal bone. Outward club alignment line 302′ is positioned adjacent the index distal phalanx bone. Outward club alignment line 304′ is positioned adjacent the index middle phalanx bone. Outward club alignment line 306′ is positioned adjacent the index middle phalanx bone. Outward club alignment line 308′ is positioned adjacent the small metacarpophalangeal joint.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, an axis line 33 is shown to generally align with the user's left forearm demonstrating that in this embodiment by aligning the club alignment lines 28 and 30 with a golf club 32, a user positions the golf club 32 in an orientation substantially parallel to axis line 33. Looking at FIG. 3, an axis line 35 is provided which generally aligns with the user's right forearm forming an angle 37 which is on the order of 60°.

While a plurality of dashed lines are shown, a plurality of solid lines, or a single line may also be formed on the glove to achieve the same result. Also, a chin-alignment arrow 34 is shown near the wrist portion of the left glove 22. This chin-alignment arrow 34 will be described in more detail later in this disclosure.

Moving on to FIG. 3, a right glove 42 of the disclosure 20 can be seen having outward club alignment lines 30′ and inward club alignment lines 28′. These function similarly to the club alignment lines formed on the left glove, but are formed at a different angle in relation to the phalanges bones of the right hand, and at a different distance from the metacarpals bones of the right hand. Also shown is a first connecting pad 44 of FIG. 3 configured to engage the second connecting pad 24 of FIG. 1 in such a way that when a proper grip is achieved between the right and left hands around a golf club 32 the first connecting pad 44 and the second connecting pad 24 will become engaged. This engagement of the connecting pads hinders the user from breaking their grip, and eventually provides the user with muscle memory which improves their ability to swing a golf club properly. These first and second connecting pads can be formed of a hook and loop material. This combination is described in great detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,827 incorporated by reference. It would also be obvious to reverse the hook and loop portions from the right to the left hand. It may also be beneficial for the hook/loop pads to have rounded corners as shown which will keep them from getting caught on other objects such as the use of clothing. Furthermore, a grip line 46 is shown which will be described in more detail later in this disclosure.

Now referring to FIG. 4, the golf club 32 properly positioned upon the left glove 22 and the right glove 42. As a portion of the back side of the left glove 22 can be seen, a plurality of grip lines including a neutral grip line 50, a strong grip line 52 and a weak grip line 54 can be seen. The proper application of these grip lines can be seen in FIG. 5 wherein the grip line 46 of the right glove is nearly aligned with the weak grip line 54 of the left glove. This grip would be useful should a user desire to fade a golf ball at the completion of a swing. Looking at FIG. 6, a different grip is achieved when the grip line 46 aligns with the strong grip line 52. This grip would be useful if a user should desire to draw a golf ball at the completion of a swing.

The swing of the club faces a constant position upon addressing the ball with the face perpendicular to the arc of swing. A strong grip as shown in FIG. 6 has a tendency to roll over the curve at contact, give it a right-to-left draw or hook-like effect for a right-hand golfer. The grip line 50 is more of a neutral-hand orientation and it should be noted that the club face should be flush and constant, whichever grip is used. The right-hand functions would be similar to a throttle in a motorcycle where the right hand or the trailing hand open grip will have a tendency, when the ball comes through, for the right hand to roll over and cause the club face to close upon impact, causing a right-to-left ball swing for a right-handed golfer (of course the opposing one would be for a left-hand golfer).

The grip line 54 in FIG. 5 would cause the club face to be slightly open at impact, giving the ball a left to right trajectory. Therefore 50, 52 and 54 have a neutral, strong and weak configuration, where FIG. 6 is a strong grip and FIG. 5 is a weak grip. Therefore, in summary, if someone has a tendency to draw or fade the ball, the first thing an individual can do is change their grip slightly, as in FIG. 6.

The proper alignment of the gloves, in relation to a golf club 32, can be seen in FIG. 7 in a backswing. As shown, the second connecting pad 24 formed on the left glove 22 has fully engaged the first connecting pad 44 on the right glove 42, and the golf club 32 is in proper alignment, and the user has not “broken his grip.” This is in relation to FIG. 8 wherein the second connecting pad 24 of the left glove 22 has become disengaged from the first connecting pad 44 of the right glove 42. This would have resulted in an audio signal similar to a tearing sound, and is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,827. As can be seen, the golf club 32 is now in an improper orientation.

The first and the second connecting pads to optionally comprise snaps, buttons, sliding dovetail members, self adhesive tape, or other connective methods currently known the art, or yet to be discovered. The connecting pads may also comprise a plurality of strips of connective pads such that an audio signal is produced more readily when the hands become unlocked. In other words, a plurality of separate strips provides a series of distinct audio signals so the hands come apart in discrete stages to form the audio signal as well as provide feedback to the student when their hands are not locked.

FIG. 10 shows another type of connection system 25 in addition to the previous connection systems with the hook and loop fastener grid. In one form, the pad portion 46′ can be an electrically conductive member which is configured to engage the receiving portion 24′ such that engagement of these two members creates a closed circuit or some sort of a voltage transfer therebetween which indicates a preferred grip. For example the preferred grip can be achieved and a switch-like member on the control unit 83 could be employed to indicate some kind of a connection therebetween, whereas the separation can trip a certain alarm system or an audible signal from a small buzzer, or other sound producing element, to indicate a broken grip. This allows the instructor or individual to determine a disengagement. Of course other types of mechanisms to recognize and indicate disengagement could be employed. For example, a magnetic connection can be utilized such that movement of the magnetic fields with respect to a corresponding member is configured to induce a current which can be received by the control unit 83 to indicate movement between the pads 24′ and 46′. Of course, other forms which are well known in the art could be utilized. It should also be noted that an indicator which provides a small electric shock could potentially be utilized, and be controlled by the control unit 83 to provide tactile feedback when the hands are becoming disengaged from one another during the backswing.

By having the connection system in place, present analysis indicates a certain amount of potential muscle memory within the individual utilizing the gloves to train themselves for a proper connection with the hands and the club for the desired swing and contact with the golf ball.

Another useful embodiment of this disclosure is shown in FIG. 9 as a chin alignment arrow 60, formed on the right glove 42, and is configured to point directly at a user's chin 62, when the proper alignment is achieved between the right glove 42 and the user's chin 62. A trailing shoulder second alignment arrow 64 is formed on the left glove 22 in such a way that it points to the user's right shoulder 63. As shown, these alignment arrows 60 and 64 are in the form of small triangle shaped arrows, however; other embodiment such as straight lines directional arrows or possibly sighting tubes, or directional lighting could also be used. It is also conceived that these alignment arrows 62 and 64 may point at other portions of the users anatomy, clothing, or any other element that would and currently aid in the golfers ability to correctly hit a golf ball.

While the previous discussion relates specifically to the use of the disclosure for properly aligning a golf club, these same inventive ideas can be used in other applications, such as the proper holding of a baseball bat, the proper holding of ropes while sailing, or other applications where an item is held by user wearing hand coverings.

Of course the strength of the hook and loop fastening system can vary. In one form it can be as strong as possible for the purpose of holding the grip tight so the individual maintains that integrity of the grip, particularly for, say, a beginner who has a propensity for loosening the grip in the back swing. In other forms, the tensile strength between the hook and loop fastening pads can be weaker so as to provide a more audible signal for disengagement to train the students so the individual does not become reliant upon the gloves. Basically, the tensile connective strength of the hook and loop as material per unit of surface area can vary depending on the desired teaching model for the golf student, depending on their experience and the area which requires strengthening in their game. Of course, in other forms, one of the pads can have hook and loop material extended in slots with spaces therebetween. This allows for more discrete breaks of the material as opposed to a constant type of disengagement.

One possible method of properly aligning a golf club for use in a game of golf, utilizing one form of the disclosure, comprises a series of independent steps. A user could grasp a golf club while wearing a gloves as described above, then engage a first contact pad on the palm portion of one glove with a second contact pad on a second glove, to set the hands in the proper orientation for holding a golf club. This step could be followed by aligning the grip line formed on the first glove, with a grip line formed on the second glove, to control the fade/draw orientation of the club. In addition, the orientation of the lead and trailing hands may be adjusted, based on an evaluation of a previous swing, to correct errors or inefficiencies.

In one form, the gloves used comprise a chin alignment arrow. This alignment arrow can be formed on a wrist portion of the trailing hand glove and configured such that when the golf club is held in the proper orientation, the alignment arrow points directly at the users chin. Of course other embodiments are also possible wherein the alignment arrow points at other portions of the suit users anatomy, clothing, or other identifiable and locations.

In a previous embodiment, pads were disclosed having a hook and loop orientation. In an alternate embodiment, the first and second contact pads can be configured to conduct electricity. In this form, the contact pads create a closed circuit pads when they are engaged with one another. Separating the first and second contact pads creates an indicating signal, which can be recognized by the user or an instructor.

A pair of hand covering gloves for a golfer having a chin and a trailing shoulder are also disclosed. In this form, the pair of hand covering gloves for use with a grip on a club having a handle in the game of golf, comprise several independent elements configured to interoperate with each other. These elements include: a leading hand glove; a trailing hand glove; grip lines formed on the surface of the leading hand glove and the trailing hand glove; a first connecting pad formed on the leading hand glove; a second connecting pad formed on the trailing hand glove; and a chin alignment arrow upon the trailing hand glove and a trailing shoulder alignment arrow positioned on the leading hand glove. In this form, the first and second connect pad are operatively configured to engage one another in a gripped orientation upon a club handle. Grip lines are provided to enable visual responders for proper grip alignment where the chin alignment arrow on the trailing glove hand is oriented to point towards the chin of the golfer. Furthermore, the trailing shoulder alignment arrow is pointed toward the trailing shoulder of the golfer.

A method of training a golf student to correct their golf swing, is also disclosed. A golfer would first place a lead hand glove on a lead hand, and a trailing hand glove on a trailing hand. The student would then grasp a golf club handle with the lead hand and identify a first mark indicator with the lead hand. The student may then grasp the golf club with a trailing hand and identify a marking indicator on the trailing hand to correlate with a first marking indicator on the lead hand. The student would next adjust the hand placement to have a different supination and pronation of the trailing hand for a desirable effect. A student would then take a golf swing, impact a ball, note the trajectory of the ball, and adjust the orientation of the hands. This is accomplished by utilizing the markers on the trailing and leading hand to rotate the trailing hand accordingly to either supinate the hand or pronating the hand to a weak/strong orientation. Whereas swinging and striking a second ball and observing the ball for a correction thereof with changing the hand orientation of the trailing hand would overall improve a golfer's swing. In addition, there are a plurality of first mark indicators to provide a desired degree of rotation of the hands for placement thereof. In addition, the trailing hand glove may further include a first connecting pad, and the lead hand glove may include a second connecting pad. Alternatively, the first connecting pad may be positioned on the thumb portion of the trailing hand glove and the second connecting pad may be positioned on the palm portion of the lead hand glove. Of course the order of the steps are disclosed may not be the order in which the owner implemented in use.

While the present disclosure is illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments are described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications within the scope of the appended claims will readily appear to those sufficed in the art. The disclosure in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicants' general concept. 

1. A pair of hand covering gloves for use with the game of golf, comprising: a. a leading hand glove, b. a plurality of club alignment lines formed on the surface of the leading hand glove including an inward club alignment line and an outward club alignment line substantially parallel to the inward club alignment line; c. the spacing between the inward club alignment line and the outward club alignment line generally conforming to the diameter of a golf club handle; d. a trailing hand glove; e. a plurality of club alignment lines formed on the surface of the trailing hand glove formed on the surface of the glove including an inward club alignment line and an outward club alignment line substantially offset and in alignment to the inward club alignment line; f. a plurality of first mark indicators configured to provide a desired degree of rotation of the hands for placement thereof; g. the spacing between the inward and outward club alignment lines generally conforming to the diameter of a golf club handle; and h. a connection system having a first and second pad positioned on the leading and trailing hand gloves respectively, the connection system configured to indicate when the first and second pads are disengaged from one another.
 2. The pair of hand covering gloves of claim 1 where the plurality of first mark indicators is on the leading hand glove and is comprised of a plurality of grip lines formed on the back portion of the leading hand glove near the thumb portion; the trailing hand glove further including a grip line formed on the palm portion of the trailing hand glove near the thumb portion, and configured to align with the grip lines formed on the back of the leading hand glove when a golf club is held in the desired orientation.
 3. The pair of hand covering gloves of claim 1 wherein a. the first pad is formed on the leading hand thumb portion of the leading hand glove, b. the second pad is formed on the trailing hand palm portion of the trailing hand glove, and configured to engage the first connecting pad when a golf club is held in the proper orientation, and giving an audio signal to the user should the orientation of the gloves be disrupted while using the golf club.
 4. The pair of hand covering gloves of claim 1, further comprising a chin alignment arrow formed on a wrist portion of the trailing hand glove configured such that when the golf club is held in the proper orientation, the alignment arrow points directly at the users chin.
 5. The pair of hand covering gloves of claim 3 further comprising a chin alignment arrow formed on a wrist portion of the trailing hand glove configured such that when the golf club is held in the proper orientation, the alignment arrow points directly at the users chin.
 6. The pair of hand covering gloves of claim 1 further comprising a shoulder alignment arrow formed on a wrist portion of the leading hand glove configured such that when the golf club is held of the proper orientation, the alignment arrow points directly to the user's shoulder.
 7. The pair of hand covering clothes of claim 1 wherein the area between the inward and outward club alignment lines is also marked, thus forming a single wide-line configured to align the golf club in the proper orientation.
 8. A method of properly aligning a golf club for use in a game of golf comprising the steps of: a. grasping a golf club while wearing a glove having lines marked upon its surface and configured to assist in properly orienting the golf club such that the golf club is aligned with the lines marked upon the surface of the glove; b. engaging a first contact pad on the palm portion of one glove with a second contact pad on a second glove to set the hands in the proper orientation for holding a golf club; and c. aligning the grip line formed on the first glove with a grip line formed on the second glove to control the orientation of the club.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the orientation of the lead and trailing hands is adjusted based on an evaluation of a previous swing.
 10. The method of claim 8 where a chin alignment arrow formed on a wrist portion of the trailing hand glove configured such that when the golf club is held in the proper orientation, the alignment arrow points directly at the users chin.
 11. The method of claim 8 where the first and second contact pads are configured to conduct electricity such that when they are engaged with one another, they create a closed circuit, thereby separating the first and second contact pads to create an indicating signal.
 12. A method of training a golf student having a lead hand and a trailing hand, to correct their golf swing, comprising the steps of: a. placing a lead hand glove on the lead hand, b. placing a trailing hand glove on the trailing hand, c. grasping a golf club handle with the lead hand and identifying a first mark indicator with the lead hand, d. grasping the golf club with a trailing hand and identifying a marking indicator on the trailing hand to correlate with a first marking indicator on the lead hand, e. adjusting the hand placement to have a different supination and pronation of the trailing hand for a desirable effect, f. allowing the golf student to take a golf swing, impact a ball and note the trajectory of the ball, g. adjust the orientation of the golf student's hands by utilizing the markers on the trailing and leading hand to rotate the trailing hand accordingly to either supinate the hand or pronating the hand to a weak/strong orientation and h. whereas swinging and striking a second ball and observing the ball for a correction thereof with changing the hand orientation of the trailing hand.
 13. The method of training a golf student of claim 12 further comprising a plurality of first mark indicators to provide a desired degree of rotation of the hands for placement thereof.
 14. The method of training a golf student of claim 12 wherein the trailing hand glove further comprises a first connecting pad, and the lead hand glove includes a second connecting pad.
 15. The method of training a golf student of claim 12 wherein the first connecting pad is positioned on the thumb portion of the trailing hand glove and the second connecting pad is positioned on the palm portion of the lead hand glove. 